Lionel Messi is almost certain to re-join Barcelona in 2023, according to Catalunya Radio.
Catalan national radio station reported on Sunday that both Barcelona president Joan Laporta and coach Xavi agree to bring Lionel Messi back to Camp Nou.
Lionel Messi himself also wants to return to Barcelona on a free transfer when his PSG contract expires at the end of the 2022-23 season.
The only big question mark will be Messi’s salary, but with Barcelona’s improving finances set to sell up to 25 percent of their TV rights over the next 25 years, a deal is more than possible.
Messi completed a shock free move to PSG last summer after failing to sign a new contract with Barcelona.
The Argentine legend has broken virtually every record in more than 20 years at the Camp Nou, scoring an incredible 672 goals in 778 games.
But Barcelona were unable to sign him to a new contract – mainly for financial reasons – leading to the infamous farewell press conference in which Messi broke down and cried.
Since then, Messi has been repeatedly linked with a return to Barcelona, with both Laporta and Xavi doing little to play down talk of a return.
“Messi was everything, for Barcelona he was perhaps the best player in history, the most efficient, comparable only to Johan Cruyff in the history of Barca,” Laporta told ESPN.
“But one day it had to happen, we had to make a decision as a result of the legacy [of financial problems] that we got [from predecessor Josep Mario Bartomeu].
“The institution is above the players and the coaches, but I think, I wish that the chapter of Messi in Barcelona is not over and I think it is our responsibility to make sure that this open chapter, which has not yet been closed, has a good moment.” in which it can be done, as it should be done, and has a much more wonderful ending than it had.
“As president of Barcelona, I think I did what I had to do. But on a personal level and also as president I think I owe him.”
Messi had a difficult first season in Paris, scoring just four Ligue 1 goals in the entire campaign and performing poorly as PSG were knocked out of the Champions League – succumbing 2-0 on aggregate and losing 3-2 to Real Madrid in their last outing. 16.
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